Illinois pension proposal faces uncertain future

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
(AP) -- A plan to rescue Illinois'
worst-in-the-country pension problem faces uncertainty in the final full day of
the lame-duck legislative session.

Members of a House committee approved a proposal calling for more
employee contributions and freezing cost-of-living increases.

Backers say it's a compromise on a complex problem that addresses many
concerns. But opponents question whether it's constitutional.

It could come up for a floor vote Tuesday. But the bill's sponsor, Democratic
Rep. Elaine Nekritz, says Democrats and Republicans are assessing how many
lawmakers support the measure before deciding whether to call for a vote.

If it wins House approval, it'd move to the Senate, which isn't
currently in session. Senate President John Cullerton has said he could call
senators back Tuesday.